Toronto loves warm weather and getting out into it at a festival. Some are held indoors but many more are found outdoors. It seems like you can find a festival for any style: multicultural, intellectual, artistic, sporty and hungry! So, try out a bunch in our Summer Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA…
Canada’s Wonderland: Spring Festivals
Date: Continuing until July 5, 2026
Canada’s Wonderland has reopened for the 2026 season with an exciting schedule of events happening all Spring.
Shaw Festival
Date: Continuing until October 11, 2026
The Shaw Festival returns for its 63rd season in the picturesque lakeside town of Niagara-on-the-Lake with a varied program of plays, including family favourites like “The Wind in the Willows”.
Stratford Festival
Date: Continuing until October 31, 2026
The Stratford Festival returns with Shakespearean classics, musicals, comedies, dramas and family favourites, plus a kids ticket deal.
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Date: June 2-7 (Toronto) and June 8-14, 2026 (online)
The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content, with in-person and online events.
Luminato Festival
Date: June 3-28, 2026
Luminato Festival kicks off the summer with a unique blend of music, dance, theatre, and art by Canadian and international artists.
Theatre by the Bay: Barrie Theatre Festival
Date: June 4-13, 2026
Celebrating 25 years of professional theatre, Theatre by the Bay hosts the Barrie Theatre Festival, a carefully curated celebration of storytelling featuring stories to entertain, challenge, delight and connect audiences.
Toronto Jewish Film Festival
Date: June 4-14, 2026
Toronto Jewish Film Festival hosts its 34th Festival with a program of films and series, screening through a variety of platforms.
Do West Fest
Date: June 5-7, 2026
Do West Fest is a free street festival of music, arts, food, fun, and community, covering 16 blocks along Dundas Street West.
The Streetsville Founders’ Bread and Honey Festival
Date: June 5-7, 2026
The Streetsville Founder’s Bread and Honey Festival includes music performances, midway rides, a kids stage, lots of food (including bread and honey, of course), and much more.
Pickering Village JAMFest
Date: June 5-7, 2026
Pickering Village JAMFest celebrates the fun, music, and arts that define Pickering Village with a free street festival.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Date: June 6-7, 2026
TCAF is an annual event showcasing Canadian and International comic books and their creators, including hands-on kids workshops and events.
Downtown Milton SummerFest
Date: June 6, 2026
Celebrate the start of summer at the Downtown Milton SummerFest, featuring local businesses and vendors, live entertainment, kids’ activities and more!
HungaroFest
Date: June 6, 2026
HungaroFest invites visitors to step into the heart of Hungarian culture and heritage at Sankofa Square with a free festival filled with food, dance and music.
Brampton KiteFest
Date: June 6-7, 2026
Get ready to soar high and celebrate colouring the skies at Brampton KiteFest, including colourful kites, fun activities and good vibes!
Oshawa Peony Festival
Date: June 6-7, 2026
Experience the award-winning Oshawa Peony Festival, a free captivating two-day event where families can become immersed in the splendour of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden.
The Dance Together Festival
Date: June 8-14 & July 9-12, 2026
Dancing into Mimico again this year, the Dance Together Festival celebrates community, first to create a new dance floor mural, then to enjoy open dance workshops in Bollywood, Salsa, Afrofusion, Samba, Soca, Ukrainian Village Dance and Line Dance.
Toronto Union Station: TD Union Summer
Date: June 8 – August 19, 2026
Toronto Union Station once again hosts TD Union Summer, a free outdoor food and live music festival where you can relax on their Front Street plaza.
Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow
Date: June 13, 2026
Celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage at the free Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow in recognition of Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day at Dufferin Grove Park, featuring dancing, drumming and performances.
Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival
Date: June 13-14, 2026
The Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival welcomes boat racing teams to the Toronto Islands, plus music and cultural performances.
South by South East International Festival (SXSE)
Date: June 17-20, 2026
The South by South East International Festival (SXSE) celebrates the diverse cultures of Asia and Latin America at Nathan Phillips Square, with live music, FIFA World Cup watch parties, global cuisine, and a kids’ zone.
DESIFEST
Date: June 18-20, 2026
DESIFEST is Canada’s biggest South Asian music concert with a free all-ages outdoor festival at Sankofa Square. It celebrates culture and community with epic live performances, plus it’s expanded this year to a three-day event!
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival
Date: June 19-28, 2026
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival returns to light up the city’s music scene once again this summer, in Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood with lots of free outdoor shows, as well as cultural themed nights that celebrate the music diversity of our city.
Markham Village Music Festival
Date: June 19-20, 2026
Markham Village Music Festival has outdoor concerts on five stages, plus a Kidz Zone, Barkham pets zone, and food and crafts.
Fairbank Village BIA: Fairbank Summerfest
Date: June 19-21, 2026
Fairbank Village BIA hosts the return of Fairbank Summerfest, a free annual street fair including carnival rides, entertainment, international food and a European Bazaar sidewalk sale.
City of Toronto: Indigenous Arts Festival
Date: June 20, 2026
Celebrate culture, community and creativity as The City of Toronto celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day with the return of the free Indigenous Arts Festival, held this year at the new park in Toronto’s port lands, Biidaasige Park. This one-day festival features craft and food vendors, as well as dynamic performances, storytelling, dance, and more.
Midtown Yonge BIA: Arraiá on Yonge
Date: June 20, 2026
Discover the magic of “Festa Junina” as Midtown Yonge BIA (MYBIA) hosts Arraiá on Yonge, a Brazilian street festival with live music, traditional food, dancing under colourful flags, plus games and, kid-friendly activities!
Black Creek Medieval Faire
Date: June 20-21, 2026
Come one, come all to the Black Creek Medieval Faire, where families can experience the excitement and wonder of the Middle Ages at this outdoor festival.
Harbourfront Centre: Summer Music in the Garden
Date: June 21 — August 27, 2026
Enjoy the intimate live music experience of Summer Music in the Garden at the Toronto Music Garden by the waterfront. The program features 18 free performances by both JUNO Award-winning Canadian musicians and celebrated local artists.
Lavazza IncluCity Festival
Date: June 25 — July 19, 2026
The Lavazza IncluCity Festival returns to transform the iconic streets of The Distillery Historic District into an enchanting outdoor cinema village featuring an unforgettable collection of diverse films, including soccer-themed films for 2026!
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS)
Date: June 26 — August 23, 2026
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) presents outdoor film screenings in three parks around the city, celebrating their 16th anniversary with a festival programme featuring this year’s action-packed theme of “Going Places”.
Stouffville Strawberry Festival
Date: June 26-28, 2026
Stouffville Strawberry Festival is a free three-day festival in the berry-picking area of Whitchurch-Stouffville. It features a carnival, inflatables, live performances, talent shows, strawberry-focused food offerings and baking contests.
Party 4 Paws Pet Fair
Date: June 27-28, 2026
Party 4 Paws Summer Pet Fair is a free paw-some weekend event of furry fun, where you can start your animal adoption journey and support local businesses.
Barrie Hill Farms: Strawberry Festival
Date: June 27-28, 2026
Kick off the Spring berry season at Barrie Hill Farms with their Strawberry Festival, with PYO strawberries, scenic wagon rides, live music, strawberry treats, artisan vendors, and more!
Anime Fiesta: Summer Con
Date: June 27-28, 2026
Anime Fiesta brings its Summer Con to The Village at Black Creek for a one-of-a-kind immersive outdoor convention, and children aged five and under are free to enter!
Toronto Fringe Festival & KidsFest
Date: June 30 — July 12, 2026
Introduce your little ones to the magic of live theatre with Toronto Fringe Festival’s KidsFest, with shows and free activities for kids ages 4-12.
Guide to the Best Canada Day Events in Toronto and the GTA
Date: July 1, 2026
Celebrate our favourite country in the whole world with parties happening all over the GTA!
Aga Khan Museum: Rhythms of Canada Festival
Date: July 1, 2026
The Rhythms of Canada Festival celebrates our diverse tapestry at the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre, showcasing local arts and culture with activities for all ages.
East York Toronto Canada Day Festival
Date: July 1, 2026
The former Toronto borough of East York turns from a sleepy neighbourhood to a bustling party at their free annual Canada Day Festival, starting with a street parade in the morning.
Beaches Jazz Festival
Date: July 3-26, 2026
The Beaches Jazz Festival, Toronto’s favourite free music festival, is back with a line-up that features new and returning artists of all genres.
Fun Philippines Toronto Food & Music Festival
Date: July 3-5, 2026
Fun Philippines Toronto Food & Music Festival is a three-day festival showcasing the best of Filipino culture with street food, music, culture and public art highlighting Filipino artists and cultural groups from Canada and the Philippines.
Vaughan International Film Festival
Date: July 6-9, 2026
The Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) presents public film screenings and industry events as well as scholarship opportunities for student filmmakers.
Hamilton Fringe Festival
Date: July 15-26, 2026
Hamilton Fringe Festival returns for its annual summer festival, with both free and ticketed events, including 50+ outdoor events throughout the city.
Toronto Summer Music Festival
Date: July 9 — August 1, 2026
The Toronto Summer Music Festival is a world-class classical music festival, held at Walter Hall, Koerner Hall and more venues around the city.
Jackalope Festival
Date: July 10-12, 2026
Hosted by Visit Mississauga, the Jackalope Festival is a vibrant three-day celebration of extreme sports that is free for the public to attend. It hosts hosts competitions and demonstrations by world-class athletes, plus lots of fun activities surrounding the events.
Guild Festival Theatre Family Fest
Date: July 10-12, 2026
Join Guild Festival Theatre for Family Fest, featuring free performances in a variety of art forms, plus hands-on activities in music, literacy, and more.
Carabram Brampton Multicultural Festival
Date: July 10-12, 206
Carabram is Brampton’s Multicultural Festival, honouring the rich culture, food, crafts, drink and entertainment of its many different ethnic groups.
Chariot Fest (FKA Festival of India)
Date: July 10-12, 2026
Chariot Fest features a pre-festival gathering, parade on Yonge Street and family-friendly weekend activities on Centre Island, including outdoor yoga and a sumptuous and FREE vegetarian feast.
Salsa in Toronto Festival: Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival
Date: July 11-12, 2026
The annual TD Salsa in Toronto Festival celebrates Latin culture and turns Midtown’s St. Clair Avenue West into Canada’s biggest salsa party.
Neilson Park Creative Festival
Date: July 11, 2026
The Neilson Park Creative Centre hosts the free all-ages Neilson Park Creative Festival, featuring outdoor art and fine craft vendors, live music performances, a plein-air painting competition, and food and drink with free parking on-site.
Gerrard India Bazaar: Festival of South Asia
Date: July 11-12, 2026
The annual TD Festival of South Asia closes the Gerrard East neighbourhood to traffic for two full days, with arts and culture, live entertainment, fashion shows and lots of food vendors.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Date: July 11 — August 2, 2026
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly known as Caribana) is a spectacular display of costumes, music and culture, with three weeks worth of both free and ticketed events, culminating in the Grand Parade on August Long weekend.
Dance on Yonge Festival
Date: July 11-12, 2026
Dance on Yonge Festival, presented by Canada Arts and Wellness Alliance, is a FREE vibrant outdoor dance and food celebration, held at Mel Lastman Square in North York.
Vaughan Latin Festival
Date: July 11, 2026
Enjoy latino culture at the free Vaughan Latin Festival at Mackenzie Glen Park with live performances, delicious food, and dancing.
Ashkenaz Festival: Summer Jam Concert Series
Date: July 13 — August 24, 2026
The Ashkenaz Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious showcases of Jewish music and culture in the world, with their free Summer Jam concert series including four eclectic double-bill concerts on alternating Monday evenings.
Taste of Vietnam
Date: July 16-18, 2026
Taste of Vietnam returns to Nathan Phillips Square, celebrating the cultural richness of Vietnam through food, the performing arts and family activities.
Vibrant Brampton Festival
Date: July 17-19, 2026
Brampton’s most-loved free outdoor South Asian Music & Dance Festival, the 11th annual Vibrant Brampton Festival celebrates at Gage Park, with music performances, Food Bazaar and a Shopping Mega Mart.
Toronto International Brazilfest
Date: July 18-19, 2026
Brazilfest is a free vibrant celebration of Brazilian culture to experience the country’s captivating rhythms and mouthwatering flavours.
Summer Live Music Festival
Date: July 18, 2026
Take in some free outdoor concerts while enjoying the lakeside breeze at Ontario Place’s Summer Live Music Festival, featuring a diverse and compelling program, including live jazz and contemporary a cappella groups.
BIG on Bloor Festival
Date: July 18-19, 2026
BIG on Bloor Festival returns with an art-filled car-free festival, taking over the Bloordale neighbourhood and celebrating community, creativity and diversity through arts and culture.
Ontario Place: SummerSeries in Trillium Park
Date: July 18 — August 16, 2026
Ontario Place returns with another exciting season of free programming with the SummerSeries in beautiful Trillium Park on Toronto’s waterfront, which offers the perfect setting to enjoy music, arts, wellness, and nature.
Harbourfront Centre: Unity Fest
Date: July 18, 2026
Unity Fest is Canada’s national hip hop festival with free admission, including dance battles, live musical performances and DJs, marketplace & local food vendors, interactive workshops, and more.
Canada’s Wonderland: KidZfest
Date: July 22 — August 2, 2026
Included with park admission, Canada’s Wonderland hosts KidZfest, where families can meet favourite TV characters, enjoy live shows and entertainment, join exciting dance parties, feast on delicious treats, keep busy with interactive games and activities, and more.
Future of Film Showcase (FOFS)
Date: July 23-26, 2026
Future of Film Showcase (FOFS) returns for another exciting edition, showcasing short films from the next generation of great Canadian filmmakers.
Youth Day
Date: July 23, 2026
Youth Day Global hosts the free family-friendly creative arts festival Youth Day, running all day and evening at St. Lawrence Market North.
#BollywoodMonster Mashup and Food Festival
Date: July 24-26, 2026
Join the party for this year’s #BollywoodMonster Mashup and Food Festival at Mississauga’s Celebration Square, with free concerts, food, KidZone and more!
Pan-American Food and Music Festival
Date: July 24-26, 2026
The free Pan-American Food and Music Festival includes concerts in numerous musical styles and genres, food and dance competitions, and more.
Ossington BIA: OssFest
Date: July 25, 2026
OssFest returns for a free festival and family-friendly pedestrian takeover of the Ossington Strip in Toronto’s west end, with open patios and live entertainment.
Alohafest Toronto
Date: July 25, 2026
Alohafest Toronto is a united celebration of Polynesian culture, with hula performances, a Keiki (Kids’) Corner and Polynesian art.
The Eglinton Way BIA: Dream Wheels on Eglinton
Date: July 25, 2026
The Eglinton Way BIA hosts Dream Wheels on Eglinton, a unique vintage car and bike show and street festival that’s free to the public, featuring an impressive showcase of vehicles, plus a full day of entertainment!
Scarborough Folk Fest
Date: July 25-26, 2026
Scarborough Folk Fest celebrates its multiculturalism with a free weekend filled with soul-stirring performances by artists from across the globe and from various backgrounds.
Mixto Festival & City Hall Live
Date: July 25-26, 2026
Now in its eighth year, Mixto Festival returns as part of the Ontario Place SummerSeries in Trillium Park, produced and curated by Uma Nota Culture. Teaming up with City Hall Live this year, Mixto is an intergenerational party with live music and DJs, with children’s programming, food and craft vendors, licensed bar and art installations.
Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival
Date: July 25-26, 2026
A free outdoor festival for all ages, the annual Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival celebrates arts, culture, and the community of Scarborough, featuring local artisan vendors, live music and entertainment, plus families can also enjoy fun activities.
Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest
Date: July 25-26, 2026
Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest invites families to embrace their culture through food, performance, dance, arts and shopping at Sankofa Square.
Toronto Chinatown Festival
Date: July 25-26, 2026
Toronto Chinatown Festival returns this year with a free two-day program of cultural performances, street eats, family activities, and more!
Harbourfront Centre: Island Soul
Date: July 31 – August 3, 2026
Harbourfront Centre presents Island Soul, which highlights the diversity and cultural richness of Caribbean communities, with live performances, storytelling, Kids Village, artisan markets, delicious Caribbean cuisine, and more.
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Date: July 31 — August 3, 2026
Head to Woodbine Park in the East End to stuff your faces with lots of delicious international food at the Toronto Food Truck Festival. Admission is free, plus there’s live entertainment, free children’s games, and live eating challenges.
Mosaic — South Asian Festival of Mississauga
Date: July 31 — August 1, 2026
The annual Mosaic Festival is a free two-day outdoor festival at Mississauga’s Celebration Square, celebrating the rich art, culture and cuisine of South Asian Canadians, including free children’s activities and a parade.
Taste of India
Date: August 1-2, 2026
Taste of India is a diverse exhibition of culinary delights at Nathan Phillips Square, plus an arts festival with multicultural performances.
Caledon Music Festival
Date: August 1, 16 & 23, 2026
Caledon Music Festival returns this August, bringing some of the finest classical musicians in the world to Caledon for four weeks of inspiring concerts.
Dusk Dances
Date: August 2-9, 2026
The long-standing pay-what-you-can outdoor dance festival Dusk Dances returns to Withrow Park, bringing dance to public parks as dusk descends.
City of Mississauga: Amphitheatre Unplugged
Date: August 5-26, 2026
Enjoy a night at Mississauga’s Celebration Square with their free concert series, Amphitheatre Unplugged, showcasing the great local talent the GTA has to offer!
The Distillery District: Toronto Country Fest
Date: August 6-23, 2026
The Distillery District goes country with the Toronto Country Fest, with live country music and line dancing, carnival games, festival food, and more. Admission and most activities are free!
University Settlement: Grange Festival
Date: August 7, 2026
The non-profit organization University Settlement hosts the annual Grange Festival downtown at Grange Park, a free outdoor fair with community tables from over 25 downtown organizations, live performances, free games and activities, and even free treats!
Mississauga Latin Festival
Date: August 7-9, 2026
Mississauga Latin Festival celebrates with free concerts and a spectacular parade, large children’s area, and more than 70 vendors.
JerkFest Toronto
Date: August 7-9, 2026
JerkFest Toronto returns to Etobicoke for a memorable family affair, filled with tantalizing Caribbean jerk cuisine and the buzz of live music, plus kids 12 and under are free!
Harbourfront Centre: Habari Africa
Date: August 7-9, 2026
Habari Africa, a free three-day festival that celebrates the rich and diverse cultures of Africa through live music, dance, workshops and arts.
The annual Himalayan Mela at Nathan Phillips Square is the largest celebration of Nepali culture in Canada, with community activities and performances.
Tastes of South East Asia
Date: August 8-9, 2026
Tastes of South East Asia is a free and vibrant community festival, celebrating food, music, dance, art, and traditions.
Humber Bay Shores Annual Waterfront Festival
Date: August 7-8, 2026
The Humber Bay Shores Annual Waterfront Festival returns to the shores of Etobicoke, with free admission, featuring a farmers’ market, artisan vendors, local performers, and a Kids Zone.
Korea Town BIA: Korea Town Street Festival
Date: August 8, 2026
Korea Town BIA hosts the Korea Town Street Festival, a free day of family-friendly activities, cultural immersion, delicious food, and unforgettable traditional music and dance performances.
It’s OK* World Festival
Date: August 8, 2026
The It’s OK* World Festival showcases the talents of Toronto’s black arts community, transforming Ontario Place’s Trillium Park into a vibrant music hub.
Toronto Diversity Festival
Date: August 8-9, 2026
The Toronto Diversity Festival, hosted by Moksha Canada Foundation, promotes our region’s rich and diverse cultures through artistic performances, children’s activities, vendors, local businesses and many more activities for all ages and interests.
WAYO Children’s Festival
Date: August 12-16, 2026
The WAYO Children’s Festival is an immersive arts festival for families with children under 12, with tickets for only $5. Families follow a maze-like route through two historic buildings, with short live shows performed along the way.
TO Live: UpFRONT Festival of Indigenous Arts, Music & Culture
Date: August 14-16, 2026
Presented by TO Live, the UpFRONT Festival of Indigenous Arts, Music & Culture, a vibrant, free outdoor event at Berczy Park and nearby Scott Street in downtown Tkaronto.
Japan Festival Canada
Date: August 14-16, 2026
Experience Japan’s rich culture at Japan Festival Canada at Celebration Square in Mississauga, promoting Japanese culture, food and technology.
Crossroads of the Danforth BIA: Wheels on the Danforth
Date: August 15, 2026
Wheels on the Danforth features a car show including hundreds of classic cars, plus local vendors, kid’s zone, free movie night on Friday night, live entertainment, and more.
Taste of Manila
Date: August 15-16, 2026
Taste of Manila turns North York’s Little Manila area into an epic street party with food, vendors and live performances.
CNE (Canadian National Exhibition)
Date: August 21 — September 7, 2026
The CNE has been a Toronto summer tradition since its inception in 1879, and it’s back this year with its annual array of EXciting events!
Parkdale Village BIA: Parkdale Music Crawl and Sidewalk Festival
Date: August 22, 2026
Celebrate local music, food, and community at the Parkdale Music Crawl and Sidewalk Festival, along the bustling west end strip of Queen West.
Toronto Korean Festival
Date: August 21-23, 2026
The Toronto Korean Festival is the biggest Korean festival in Canada, including traditional foods, live performances, and a vendor market.
Yorkville Murals
Date: August 22-23, 2026
Yorkville Murals transforms the upscale neighbourhood into a huge canvas with a free outdoor festival, celebrating public art with cultural events.
Markham Jazz Festival
Date: August 22-23, 2026
Check out more than 30 FREE world-class jazz performances at the Markham Jazz Festival, set in the quaint and historic village of Unionville in the heart of Markham.
FAN EXPO Canada
Date: August 27-30, 2026
The largest comics, sci-fi, anime and gaming event in the country, the four-day pop culture convention FAN EXPO Canada celebrates all things fandom, including family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned celebrities.
Harbourfront Centre: TAIWANfest Toronto
Date: August 28-30, 2026
Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of arts and culture at TAIWANfest Toronto, returning to Harbourfront Centre with live performances, music, art exhibitions, films, food, crafts, an artist market, and more.
More details coming soon!
Guide to FIFA World Cup 26 Events in Toronto and the GTA
There are special events happening all around town, where fans can gather to celebrate “the beautiful game”. So, get out your flag, put on your jerseys, and cheer on our Guide to FIFA World Cup 26 Events in Toronto and the GTA!
Guide to Spring and Summer Food Festivals in Toronto and the GTA
Food festivals have become extremely popular in recent years in our neck of the woods and what better way to share our city’s many cultures than through a delicious party?! Hit your local park or city square and chow down with help from our Guide to Spring and Summer Food Festivals in Toronto and the GTA!
Guide to the Best Summer Outdoor Shows in Toronto and the GTA
With concerts, buskers and plays, enjoy the fresh air and give a round of applause to our Guide to the Best Summer Outdoor Shows in Toronto and the GTA!
Guide to the Best Spots to Catch Outdoor Movies in Toronto
Catching a movie in an indoor theatre is nice but it’s extra-special to spend a lovely evening on a blanket at a park with our Guide to the Best Spots to Outdoor Movies in Toronto this Spring and Summer. Grab your popcorn and get comfy!
Looking for more ideas for Summer Outdoor activities? Check them out here!
